Sgt. Richard Nighelli has been promoted to lieutenant, effective Jan. 1.

The Board of Selectmen announced at its meeting Tuesday night that retiring Police Chief Lincoln Miller chose Nighelli to take over the lieutenant position that will be left open when Lt. John Garcia takes over as chief next year.

Nighelli has been a police officer for 15 years, and a sergeant for the last 11. He’s a member of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council and is on its SWAT team.

“He’ll provide the chief with strong leadership as the second-in-command,” Select Chair Jody Dickerson said.

The lieutenant position was open internally to all sergeants. Nighelli and one other sergeant applied, but the other sergeant ended up withdrawing the application.